This page relates “incarnation of lord shiva as kirata” as found in the Shiva-purana, which, in Hinduism, represents one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. This work eulogizes Lord Shiva as the supreme deity, besides topics such as cosmology and philosophy. It is written in Sanskrit and claims to be a redaction of an original text consisting of 100,000 metrical verses.

14. O sage, it was surely done by Śiva himself who is subservient to his devotees. It could not be otherwise as this was just to grant him his devotion.

15. Then Śiva smiled and revealed his wonderful auspicious form as he is always well disposed to his devotees.

16-17. On seeing that beautiful form, the form of the excellent supreme being as mentioned in the Vedas, Śāstras and Purāṇas, the form which Vyāsa had advised him to meditate upon, the form which bestows alt Siddhis, the form of Śiva, Arjuna was abashed and surprised much.

18. “Hā, this is Śiva, this is Śiva who has been chosen by me as my lord, the lord of the three worlds himself. O what a thing have I committed now!

19. Powerful indeed is the Māyā of the lord. It deludes even the wielders of Māyā. Why have I been deceived by the lord who concealed his own form.”

20. After thinking thus within himself he joined his palms in reverence and bending his head he bowed to the lord with pleasure. Then he spoke in a delighted manner.

Nandīśvara said:—

Arjuna said:—

32. O good lord, O Sadāśiva, is your desire, is your compassion to be described by me? You are the favourite of your devotees, you are Śiva, the bestower of welfare.

33. After saying this, the son of Pāṇḍu eulogised Śiva the great lord, devotedly, in the manner approved of by the Vedas.

34. “Obeisance to you the lord of gods. Obeisance to you the resident of Kailāsa. O Sadāśiva, obeisance to you. Obeisance to you, the five-faced[1] one.

35. Obeisance to Kapardin (one with matted hair), obeisance to you, the three-eyed. Obeisance to the delighted one, obeisance to the thousand-faced.

36. O blue-necked one, obeisance to you. Obeisance to Sadyojāta. O bull-bannered one, obeisance to you with Pārvatī as your left half.

37. O ten-armed one, Obeisance to you the great soul. Obeisance to you holding the drum and the skull in your hands. Obeisance to you, the one wearing a garland of skulls.

38. Obeisance to you with the body refulgent like pure crystal and pure camphor, obeisance to you with the Pināka in your hand, obeisance to the bearer of the excellent Trident.

39. Obeisance to the one with the tiger hide[2] as the upper cloth; obeisance to the wearer of elephant’s hide.[3] Obeisance to you with your body encircled by the serpents. Obeisance to you the supporter of Gaṅgā.

40. Obeisance to you of splendid, reddish feet, worthy to be served by Nandin and other Gaṇas. Obeisance to you, the chief of Gaṇas.

41. Obeisance to one in the form of Gaṇeśa, followed by Kārttikeya. Obeisance to the bestower of devotion and salvation to the devotees.

42. Obeisance to you devoid of attributes. Obeisance to you possessed of attributes. Obeisance to one with and without forms, having digits and devoid of digits.

43. Obeisance to the one who blessed me in the form of Kirāta. Obeisance to the one who is fond of fighting with heroes, obeisance to the one performing various sports.

44. Whatever splendid form is seen, its splendour is yours. You are in the form of pure consciousness. You sport about inṣṭhe three worlds in different guises.

45. There is no limit to your excellences as that of the dust particles, or stars in the sky or rain-drops.

46. Even the Vedas cannot enumerate your good qualities. O lord, how can I, deficient in intellect, describe any?

47. Whatever be your nature, obeisance be to you. It behoves you to take pity. O lord, I am your slave, O lord Śiva, you arc my master.

Nandīśvara said:—

48. On hearing his words, lord Śiva, who was highly delighted spoke to Arjuna delightedly.

Śiva said:—

49. Of what avail is a long talk? Listen to my words. O son, choose your boon quickly. I shall give you everything.

Nandīśvara said:—

50. Thus urged by him, Arjuna bowed to Sadāśiva with palms joined in reverence and with head bending down. He spoke with words choked with devotion

Arjuna said

51. What shall I say? You are the immanent Soul of all. Still let my detailed explanation be heard by you, O lord.

52. Whatever danger I had from enemies has vanished at your sight. Please do that which may confer worldly Siddhis on me.

Nandīśvara said:—

53. After saying this and bowing to Śiva who is favourably disposed to his devotees, Arjuna stood by with shoulder drooping down and palms joined in reverence.

54. Seeing Arjuna, son of Pāṇḍu, the foremost of his devotees, lord Śiva was extremely glad and satisfied.

55. Lord Śiva gave him Pāśupata missile that could not be thwarted by anyone at any time and spoke thus.

Śiva said:—

56. I have given you my own great missile. You will become invincible thereby. You will reap success over your enemies through this.

57. I shall tell Kṛṣṇa also. He will help you. He is my own soul, my devotee and he carries out my task.

58. O Bharata, due to my power, you will rule over your kingdom unhindered. You shall perform righteous deeds of various kinds always along with your brother.

Nandīśvara said:—

59. After saying this and placing his hand over his head, Śiva vanished after being duly worshipped by Arjuna.

60. The delighted Arjuna, after obtaining the excellent missile from the lord, returned to his hermitage remembering devotedly his chief preceptor and Śiva.

61. When he arrived, his brother felt fully revived as the body with vital airs. They felt happy at his sight. Draupadī of good rites was also delighted.

62. The delighted Pāṇḍavas were not satiated by hearing the details from Arjuna and knowing that Śiva was satisfied.

63. There was a shower of flowers and the sandal paste in the hermitage for honouring Arjuna the enemy of the boar and the Pāṇḍavas.

64. By bowing to Śiva joyously and realising that the time-limit had arrived, they knew that success was at hand.

65. In the meantime, on hearing that Arjuna had returned, Kṛṣṇa came there to see him. He was very happy,

66. Therefore I say that Śiva is the dispeller of all miseries. He is always served by me. Let him be served by you.

67. Thus the incarnation of Śiva as Kirāta has been explained to you. He who hears and narrates this obtains all desires.

Footnotes and references:

Once Śiva visited a forest in the guise of a mendicant and charmed the wives of the sages by his physical splendour. The sages resented his action, dug a pit and by magical arts caused a tiger to rush out of it. But Śiva slew the tiger and took his skin which he wore as a garment. Dawson HM. P. 299.

The elephant skin belonged to the AsuraGaja (or Gaya) who had conquered the gods and destroyed the sages. Śiva is said to have slain the Asura, ripped up his body, stripped of the hide and used it as cloak. See ŚP. Rudra. Yuddhakāṇḍa, Ch. 57.